From Shell Shock to Growth: Business Lessons from 2020 for 2021
2020 tested every business, but hardship breeds growth. Like a lobster shedding its shell, now’s the time to adapt, rebuild, and thrive. Here’s how 2021 can be your turning point.
2020 was, without a doubt, one of the most challenging years in modern history for businesses. Lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, shifting consumer behaviors, and an overall economic downturn tested the resilience of organizations across every industry. But within that hardship lies a powerful lesson—and an even greater opportunity for growth.
This post is a reflection on what it means to survive, adapt, and ultimately thrive in the wake of adversity, inspired by the insights shared in the video “Business Survival and Growth in 2021.”
Pressure Builds Strength—Just Ask a Lobster
Adversity isn’t just a test of strength—it’s the mechanism that causes growth. A powerful metaphor from the video compares business resilience to the way a lobster grows. A lobster is confined by its shell. When it grows, the shell becomes tight and uncomfortable. Eventually, the lobster sheds it—exposing itself to vulnerability in the process—but that pain and discomfort is the stimulus for growth.
Similarly, the stress businesses experienced in 2020 is not a signal of failure—it’s the catalyst for reinvention. As Winston Churchill famously said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Adaptation isn’t optional anymore—it’s the path forward.
Welcome to the Rebuilding Year
If 2020 was the year of disruption, then 2021 is the year of reconstruction. But you can’t rebuild on shaky ground. Now is the time to take stock of your operations, assess what's working and what’s outdated, and rebuild your processes for durability and flexibility. Businesses that survive 2021 will be the ones that move with the economy, not against it.
Three Mindsets for 2021:
- Resilience: Commit to bouncing back stronger. Resilience isn’t about avoiding stress—it's about using stress to become better.
- Goal-Driven Action: Set clear, achievable goals. Without a target, you're just moving—but with one, you're progressing.
- Adaptability: Recognize that the world has changed. If you're still running your business like it's 2019, you're already behind.
There’s No Magic Pill—But There Is a Plan
Hard work, perseverance, and discipline will continue to be the pillars of business success. The message is clear: there is no shortcut, no single app, and no secret formula. It’s about showing up—every day—and staying focused on what matters most.
But you don’t have to go it alone. In the U.S., local and federal support programs have been made available to help small businesses stay afloat. Whether it’s through grants, low-interest loans, or employee retention incentives, these resources can help bridge the gap while you adapt to the new economic reality.
Need help finding them? Reach out to advisors, industry groups, or trusted partners. (And if you're working with Benton Oakfield, we’re happy to share a list of programs and walk you through how to access them.)
Tough Times Create Strong Businesses
Business ownership is not for the faint of heart. You didn’t build your company to be weak, and you certainly didn’t make it this far to stop now. This is your moment to shed the shell, embrace discomfort, and grow stronger because of it.
Here’s to your growth in 2021 and beyond.
